Flexible Food Container Cover With Friction-Fixed Elastic Edge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing protective caps for food containers are time-consuming and costly to manufacture due to the need for sewing or adhesive-based attachment methods, which introduce additional materials and machinery costs.
Innovation Solution
A flexible cover for food containers using a flexible film with an elastic thread attached via a channel formed by folding the film around the thread, relying on friction for secure fixation without additional materials or adhesives, allowing for efficient and cost-effective production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sewing or stitching is used to attach the resilient band to the plastic foil, then the attachment is secure, but the manufacturing process becomes time-consuming and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the sewing/stitching process entirely from the manufacturing method. Instead of using needles and thread to attach the resilient band to the foil, the patent uses a direct thermal bonding process where heat and pressure are applied to fuse the materials together, eliminating the need for sequential stitching operations
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical sewing process is replaced with a thermal bonding process. Instead of using mechanical needles and thread to create attachments, the patent uses heat and pressure to directly fuse the resilient band to the plastic foil, transforming the attachment mechanism from mechanical to thermal
2Reliability
If sewing or stitching machinery is used to attach the resilient band to the plastic foil, then secure attachment is achieved, but additional machinery costs are incurred
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the sewing machinery from the production system. The complex needle and thread feeding mechanisms are completely eliminated in favor of a simpler thermal bonding system that uses heat plates or rollers to fuse materials directly
Solution Approach 2:
The complex mechanical sewing system is substituted with a thermal bonding system. Instead of mechanical needles, thread spools, and stitching mechanisms, the patent employs heat sources and pressure application devices that are simpler and more cost-effective
3Reliability
If a sewing thread is used to attach the resilient band to the plastic foil, then the attachment is secure, but a third material is introduced increasing overall cost
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the sewing thread from the material composition. By using thermal bonding, the process directly fuses the resilient band and plastic foil together without requiring any intermediary thread or needle materials
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the resilient band and plastic foil into a single bonded structure through thermal fusion. The two materials are directly joined at their interface without introducing a third material as a connector or intermediary
4Reliability
If adhesive is used to secure the elastic cord to the flexible sheet, then the attachment is secure, but the process becomes time-consuming and requires substantial machinery
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the adhesive application process entirely. Instead of using adhesive dispensing systems and curing processes, the patent employs direct thermal bonding where heat and pressure fuse the materials together in a single step
Solution Approach 2:
The chemical adhesive bonding process is substituted with physical thermal bonding. Instead of applying liquid or paste adhesives that require drying or curing time, the patent uses heat and pressure to create immediate bonds between materials
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables a fast, cost-effective, and secure attachment of the elastic thread to the flexible film, reducing production time and costs while ensuring a tight seal for food containers of various sizes and shapes.
Implementation Method 1
The channel exerts a circumferential, compressive force on the elastic thread, whereby the elastic tread is fixed to the flexible film by friction between the flexible film and the elastic thread
Data Source
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AI summary
A flexible cover (1) for a food container (4) comprising a flexible film (2) and an elastic thread (3) is presented. The elastic thread (3) is attached to the peripheral edge (8) of the flexible film (2) by a channel (5) formed of the flexible film (2) around the elastic thread (3). The channel (5) exerts a circumferential, compressive force on the elastic thread (3), whereby the elastic tread (3) is fixed to the flexible film (2) by friction between the flexible film (2) and the elastic thread (3), and the elastic thread (3) forms a loop around the peripheral edge (8) of the flexible film (2), the loop having two ends (6, 7) overlapping and abutting in a longitudinal direction of the elastic thread (3). A method for manufacturing a flexible cover (1) is also presented.